Special Topics in Environmental Policy and Culture (390-0-28)
Topic
Water in Arid Lands: Israel and the Middle East
Instructors
Elie Rekhess
Crowe Hall 5-149
Office Hours: By appt. only
Aaron Packman
847/491-9902
2145 N. Sheridan / Tech A314
Office Hours: a-packman@northwestern.edu
Meeting Info
Annenberg Hall G29: Wed 4:00PM - 6:50PM
Overview of class
Water in Arid Lands: Technology Innovation and Transboundary Management in the Middle East
This seminar will explore how the availability of water in the Middle East has shaped the development of civilizations, influenced political stability in the region, and driven innovation in water technologies. The course will investigate the historical dimensions of water in the Middle East, focusing on ancient civilizations and the water infrastructures that are essential tools in aiding the development of water-poor societies. We will use this historical context as a stepping-stone to transition into a more recent history of the Middle East, including the technological challenges that Israel faced after 1948, due to water scarcity. We will then examine efforts to develop the necessary water resources needed to support the burgeoning population as well as the irrigation projects designed to convert barren desert land into cultivated agriculture. This more recent history will help to set the stage for discussions regarding geopolitical conflicts over land and water that continue to this day. We will evaluate regional climate and water in the context of current and future geopolitical conflicts, reviewing recent advances in water technologies spurred by these limitations as well as the potential development of combined social and technological solutions for long-term water sustainability in Israel and the Middle East. We will also examine transboundary water conflicts in the region and their impact on the enhancement of water technologies. We will end the course with discussions regarding opportunities for the global translation of innovative water technologies and water-management solutions developed in Israel to other water-poor regions. In addition, the course will host a symposium featuring international experts. It will explore recent developments in water technologies and innovations, as well as water transboundary issues in the Middle East. We will begin each class with a survey of news items published recently in world and Middle East media, which discuss water-related topics.
Registration Requirements
Juniors, Seniors and Grad Students in any school. Freshmen and Sophomores may be able to enroll with a permission code if space is available.
Learning Objectives
Students will be expected to use their recently acquired knowledge from class discussions and lectures to write a final seminar paper exploring a major course theme within each student's primary interest. This will result in a fully researched and referenced 15-page paper that explores one of the course's major themes.
Teaching Method
Weekly position paper (25%). Discussion of current events and weekly readings (25%), Written progress report and outline for seminar paper (20%), Final seminar paper (30%)
Class Materials (Required)
Materials will be provided by the instructors.
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: Pre-registration is reserved for Environmental Policy students.